Foreign aid to cut ‘terrible’ plastic pollution

THERESA MAY has disclosed that foreign aid money will be diverted to projects that reduce the “terrible” amount of plastic that ends up in the sea.

She said Penny Mordaunt, the International Development Secretary, and Michael Gove, the Environment Secretary, are working together to find ways of doing “what everyone wants” by tackling the problem plaguing marine life. Ministers have been spurred into action by images of ocean pollution and its devastating effects on the BBC’S Blue Planet II.

Speaking after attending a climate summit in Paris, Mrs May said: “We’ve all been very concerned by the pictures we have seen in recent months on the impact of pollution on marine life. The Government has already taken steps in relation to plastic – the charge on carrier bags, the ban on micro beads – but we are looking to see what more we can do. That’s not just the Environment Secretary, but the International Development Secretary, to see how we can use overseas aid money to ensure we’re doing what everyone wants, which is reducing this terrible pollution.”

A recent study discovered that 90per cent of plastic going into the sea comes from just 10 rivers in Africa and Asia, and Mr Gove is keen to channel more money into tackling the problem there. Mrs May also announced an extra £140 million helping countries most affected by climate change.